Report of the city of Somerville 1946, Part 24

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1946
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1946 > Part 24


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Once again we express our appreciation for your thought- ful interest in the library and its staff.


Sincerely, REV. ANTHONY J. FLAHERTY, President


363


PUBLIC LIBRARY


REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN


To the Board of Trustees :


We close the old and look forward to the New Year in- creasingly hopeful with the establishment of a salary schedule more equitable than has been our pleasure to ever report. With increases of salaries in all types of employment, many cases entirely out of line with the responsibilities of positions, we have felt some hesitation as to our success in obtaining a fair recognition of the responsibilities of the library staff. Our new schedule has placed our basic salaries on a basis to en- courage future candidates for our library staff but however we firmly feel since our work calls for higher educational re- quirements than practically all other city departments that the education of our staff members must be of a continuing process through the medium of courses offered by the various colleges and universities of our vicinity. To encourage this continuing education which makes them more proficient and of greater value to our library system, we strongly feel that increments should be awarded our staff members to at least partially repay them for monies expended and time taken out- side working hours for their efforts. We are looking forward to that day when the library will be recognized as a necessary component of the educational system of our city and our staff an integral part of the system, especially as far as financial return is concerned. For as we have so many times stated, "It is our aim to maintain the Somerville Public Library as a great reservoir of information, with efficient staff members to maintain it, which shall provide material for the public in all walks of life. For reading-the great means of contact with the world about us and our fathers before us-is an edu- cational activity in the fullest sense. Education can not pro- ceed without it: a defective education can be rectified by it. It is our desire to promote this library as a community center for the betterment of social conditions and the making of intelligent American citizens".


With the advent of higher real estate taxes apparent be- cause of larger payroll expenditures we trust our very nom-


364


ANNUAL REPORTS


inal book appropriation will not be further dissipated. The severe cut received in this appropriation for the current year though partially restored through an additional appropriation in the closing months caused severe hardship in our attempt to maintain the standards of our book collection. Our book appropriation is our life's blood, we can not function without it and suffer a slow, lingering life of inertia without suffic- ient funds. Attractive buildings do not make a library but an efficient, alert staff and an up to date collection of standard, reference, and circulating books provide the medium through which we can render the service which is vital to the educa- tional and daily life of our city.


The renovation of the East Branch interior, walls, ceiling, shelves, and the installation of florescent lights has made it the most attractive location of the entire system. Since the iron fence was erected the lawn and shrubs which were an eye- sore have become a source of much comment. We trust the interior and exterior of the Central building will soon receive the attention so badly needed for to our knowledge no major improvement has been made in this building since the opening in 1914. The lawn, shrubbery, and interior of the West Branch are in sad need of attention.


The Union Square Branch was closed December 1st to pre- pare for its removal to a smaller location at 307 Somerville Avenue. This new location because of limited space will serve only as a circulating station. The site though none too fa- vorably located was the only available vacancy in the Union Square area. It is our fond hope that in the distant future a suitable location for the erection of a branch building will be secured as the needs of this section require more service than will be offered by a circulating station. The students of the Southern Junior High School and of St. Joseph's High School require a place where they can do their homework and receive reference assistance. This is imperative, for the Union Square Branch has served a dual purpose for many of its pat- rons who unfortunately have not been overly blessed with worldly goods. It has been a haven for many young men and women who because of crowded home conditions have no other place to study, and on the cold wintery afternoons and even- ings has been a refuge for many boys and girls whose homes lacked sufficient heat.


Our circulation has not shown a marked increase due to the fact that the East Branch was closed most of the month


365


PUBLIC LIBRARY


of October for renovation, the Union Square Branch was closed during the month of December, and the Winter Hill Station only opened spasmodically from September through December because of our limited personnel and unusual amount of sick- ness suffered by our staff members. On the other hand our registration of new borrowers has shown a marked increase throughout the year and the increased number of jatrons using our various locations is noticeable.


As we review the services rendered by our library sys- tem and look to the future for further improvement we find the paramount need is the establishment of a collection of of musical records. With the increased home use of phono- .graphic instruments and equipment and the stressing of mus- ical education in our elementary and high school curricula we find a definite need for this addition. Without sufficient fi- nancial assistance we will be handicapped in the establish- ment of such a collection, yet we feel it is necessary to make a start with the fervent hope we may prove its value. We will definitely suffer from the lack of listening rooms and phonographic equipment but feel certain time will prove to the powers that be, that such equipment is necessary.


Again we repeat the need of a circulating station in the vicinity of Highland Avenue and Cedar Street which would be approximately one mile distant from the Central Library and from the West Branch. This section of the city is extreme- ly heavily populated with most of the residents living in mul- tiple dwellings. With the addition of this location we feel this city might be justly proud of the proximity of library locations in all districts.


The hand of death has again reached into our midst-the Reverend J. Franklin Burkhart, a trustee since May 1945, passed away suddenly on October 14, 1946. Appropriate res- olutions acknowledging his faithful service were presented to his widow and family. On July ninth Miss Cora B. Eames, head of the Reference Department since November 1918, pas- sed away. Miss Eames was loved and admired by the entire staff and thousands of our patrons who sought her assistance in the solution of their perplexing problems. Quiet, unassum- ing, and most efficient, her death was a severe blow. Fortu- nately because of her untiring efforts and the proficient teach- ing of her assistants her department has continued on the high standards she established, under the direction of Miss Ruth Holmes, her former first assistant.


366


ANNUAL REPORTS


Under the Scheme of Service the following promotions were made: Mary R. Phelan from Non-Professional to Pro- fessional, 1st year Junior Assistant; Mary A. Heneghan from 1st year Junior Assistant to 2nd year Junior Assistant; Irene M. Westhoff from 3rd year Junior Assistant to 1st year Sen- ior Assistant ; Margaret B. Scanlan from acting First Assistant to First Assistant; Ruth Holmes from 1st Assistant to Ref- erence Librarian ; John T. Mackey from 1st Assistant to Assis. tant to the Librarian.


Resignations were received from Katherine R. Austin who accepted a position as teacher in the School Department, Lois W. Crawford who found more profitable employment, and Mary R. Phelan who was married.


The following were appointed as First Year Junior Assis- tants : Gloria F. Garham, Lois E. MacDonald, Mary J. O'Brien. Barbara T. O'Neill, and Mary T. Ronayne.


To the members of the staff I extend the highest commen- dation. Their loyalty and faithfulness is unsurpassed. Through the Staff Association they have labored diligently and have extended the utmost assistance to improve the financial status of the staff. It is a source of pride to realize that through true cooperation our efforts were not in vain.


To the Library Trustees I am indebted for their counsel and support.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN D. KELLEY,


Librarian


367


PUBLIC LIBRARY


AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS


City of Somerville County, Middlesex State, Massachusetts


Name of Library, The Public Library of the City of Somerville


Date of founding, 1872


Name of Librarian, John D. Kelley


Report for fiscal year ending, December 31, 1946


Governmental unit of support and service, City


Population served (1940 U. S. Census), 102,304


Terms of use, Free for lending, free for reference


Agencies-Central Library


1


Branches-in library buildings


2


in municipal building


1


Stations - in municipal building


1


in rented rooms


2


Others- in school rooms


265


in institutions


8


in clubs


3


Total


283


CIRCULATION AND USE


Number of volumes of adult non-fiction


lent for house use


45,702


Number of volumes of adult fiction


lent for home use


135,267


Number of volumes for juveniles


lent for home use


215,946


Total Number of volumes lent for home use


396,915


Period of loan for the majority of adult book stock-14 days


Number of inter-library loans,-Volumes lent


43


Volumes borrowed


20


Number of refernce questions answered-15,439


REGISTRATION


Adult


Juvenile


Total


Total number of registered borrowers


8,926


6,482


15,408


Borrowers registered during year


4,850


3,156


8,006


Registration period, 2 years


BOOK STOCK


Adult


Juvenile


Total


Number of volumes December 31, 1945


88,844


36,681


125,525


Number of volumes added during year


....


4,626


5,547


10,173


Number of volumes withdrawn during year


3,295


5,713


9,008


Number of volumes December 31, 1946


90,175


36,515


126,690


Number of newspapers currently received excluding duplicates ...


9


Number of periodicals currently received excluding duplicates


182


FINANCE


Assessed valuation of city-$107,257,200.00


Rate of library tax levy for fiscal year reported: 96/100 of a mill


368


ANNUAL REPORTS


RECEIPTS


Local Taxation:


Library Department


$78,910.02


Fines included in above


$3,381.23


Dog licenses included in above


4,091.70


Public Buildings Department ....


24,336.88


$103,246.90


Invested Funds:


Balance from 1945


$3,607.39


Income in 1946


381.28


3,988.67


Total


$107,235.57


EXPENDITURES


Salaries: Library Department .. $57,337.64


Public Buildings Department


13,620.20


$70,957.84


Books: Appropriation


11,476.09


Invested Funds


1,256.79


12,732.88


Periodicals: Appropriation Invested Funds


5.50


738.51


Binding


403.52


Rent: Public Buildings Department


2,403.36


Heat and Light:


Public Buildings Department


3,378.51


.Insurance: Library Department ..


263.36


Public Buildings Department ... .


875.03


1,138.39


Other Operating Expenses:


Library Department


4,184.44


Public Buildings Department ...


4,059.78


8,244.22


TOTAL ....


$99,997.23


TRANSFERS


From Public Library Department:


To Health Department ...


1,801.00


To Maintenance, School Buildings


841.00


To Sewers Maintenance


550.00


To Board of Appeals


70.00


To Executive Department


238.00


$3,500.00


BALANCES, DECEMBER 3.1, 1946


Library Department:


Appropriation


$1,011.96


Invested Funds


2,726.38


Public Buildings Department


......


$3,738.34 0.


$3,738.34


GRAND TOTAL


$107,235.57


733.01


369


SANITARY DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE SANITARY DEPARMENT


To the Honorable, the Mayor


and the Board of Aldermen of


the City of Somerville


Gentlemen :-


The report of the Sanitary Department for the year 1946 is respectfully submitted herewith :


COLLECTION OF ASHES AND REFUSE


Loads


Yards


Tons


January


2400


15,600


5400


February


2300


14,950


5175


March


2280


14,820


5130


April


2200


14,300


4950


May


2100


13,650


4725


June


2000


13,000


4500


July


1900


12,350


4275


August


1820


11,830


4095


September


1720


11,180


3870


October


2200


14,300


4950


November.


2460


15.900


5535


December


2600


16,900


5850


COLLECTION OF PAPER


Yards


Tons


January


4950


660


February


5100


680


March


4575


610


April


4425


590


May


4725


630


June


4500


600


July


4350


580


August


4200


560


September


4350


580


October


4725


630


November


4800


640


December


5100


680


370


ANNUAL REPORTS


The above figures are approximate and are based on the general average of amounts carried by the trucks.


The ashes and refuse are being collected with motor trucks on account of the distance to the Medford dumps, which are being used by this department subject to the rules and regu- lations of the Board of Health of the City of Medford.


There is a general increase in the amount of ashes being collected due to the fact so many householders converted their heaters from oil to coal.


The trucks in this department have been operating for seventeen years and it is almost impossible to do the work with them, parts are hard to get and I would appreciate it if new equipment was purchased.


The total estimated collection of garbage amounted to 4,000 cords. On August 1, 1942 the city entered into a new garbage contract, the contractor agreeing to furnish trucks and Chauffeurs, the City supplying the Laborers and collections to be same as previously-two collections a week througout the year from private dwellings and three times a week from restaurants, stores, etc.


The department as a whole is operating efficiently and with the citizens co-operation we shall continue to carry on in the usual manner.


I wish to thank His Honor the Mayor, the Board of Al- dermen and the employees of my department for their co-op- eration extended during the year.


Rspectfully submitted,


JOHN F. MESKELL,


Supt. Sanitary Department


--


371


RECREATION COMMISSION


REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION 1946


E. STUART ROGERS, Chairman


Members


Term Expires January


WALLACE A. BLAIR 1945


EUGENE W. DRISCOLL 1946


JOSEPH D. FILADORO 1946


MRS. ROSE M. GLENDON 1945


MRS. HARRIETT M. HURLBURT 1946


GEORGE L. KEEFE


1947


MRS. CLARA R. MOORE


1945


REV. NAZARENO PROPERZI


1946


E. STUART ROGERS . 1946


Secretary To The Commission: FRANCIS J. MAHONEY


372


ANNUAL REPORTS


December 31, 1946


To the Honorable the Mayor and The Board of Aldermen :


The Annual Reports of the Recreation Commission for the two immediately past years, 1944, and 1945, have, in consid- erable detail, indicated that the Commission's approach to its assignment has been characterized by its recognition that the Recreation Service needed, as of January 1, 1944, an over-all resuscitation-following its general deterioration during the ten-year period then ending. At the close of the two successive years 1944 and 1945, the Commission has reported progressive developments towards this resuscitation. Now, at the close of 1946, the key-note of the situation is that there has been a continued return toward the conditions that were normal in the early Nineteen-thirties. More specifically, the program of activities for BOYS AND GIRLS has returned altogether to normal; and some developments have been made, in the past year, in the activities program for ADULTS. There still re- mains the need for restoration of those phases of the adult pro- gram which must depend upon the revival or replacement of the four indoor Recreation Centers and the indoor gymnasium activities for adults.


In the developments of the Summer Playgrounds, Satur- day Playgrounds, Boys' Clubs, Girls' Clubs, Somerville Young Aircrafters, and Youth Theatre, there has been a steady growth and expansion this year, based on the conditions and program reported a year ago at the close of 1945. And, in addition, there has been a revival of the Somerville Community Theatre (for adults) and of the Junior Community Theatre (for post- adolescents). And there has been an expansion of the activi- ties in Softball for men and a great intensification of the in- terest in Softball both among players and among adult spec- tators.


For an understanding of the specific implications of the foregoing statements, reference to this Commission's Annual Reports for 1944 and 1945 is desirable. For brevity and econ- omy this present Report is presented in the light of these earl- jer Reports.


A financial statement is attached hereto.


373


RECREATION COMMISSION


The Commission gratefully acknowledges the marked co- operation experienced during the year 1946, from His Honor The Mayor, The Board of Aldermen, the City Engineer's De- partments, and the Public Buildings Department. The serv- ices through the Commission have been enhanced also by the ready co-operation of the Police Department, the Superinten- dent of Schools, and the Masters of the Senior High and Jun- ior High Schools and the Supervising Principals and Teachers of the elementary schools.


Respectfully submitted by THE RECREATION COMMISSION


by E. STUART ROGERS, Chairman


374


ANNUAL REPORTS


City of Somerville, Recreation Commission FINANCIAL SUMMARY, 1946


PRE-BUDGET APPROPRIATION (March 28)


$473.79


ANNUAL APPROPRIATION (April 8)


38,723.16


SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION (June 13)


6,922.00


SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION (Dec. 27)


484.74


TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS


$46,603.69


EXPENDITURES :


Salaries and Wages


$39,066.12


Athletic Supplies


781.09


Playground Supplies, Paraphernalia, Equip- ment, and Accessories


683.97


Other Recreation Supplies


678.31


Printing and Planographing


403.85


Rental of Equipment, Supplies, and Buses


317.50


Rental of Premises


17.00


Music


49.00


Office Supplies


329.16


Telephone


247.36


Postage, Parcel Post and Express


266.60


Repairs and Piano Tuning ...


29.75


Construction and Repair of Scenery


20.00


Sign Writer's Equipment and Accessories


16.97


Photographic Supplies


13.50


Special Services


73.78


Automobile Maintenance:


573.63


Station Wagon Other


110.00


Bicycle Repairs, Tires


10.62


Personal Disbursements


59.14


Books and Pamphlets for Worker's Profes- sional Improvement


31.75


Carfares for Itinerant Workers


24.30


Convention Expenses


86.89


Special Items:


Station Wagon


1,632.55


Motion Picture Sound Projector,


494.78


Screen and Accessories


162.00


Portable, Collapsible Boxing Rings Typewriters


277.23


All Other


72.20


TOTAL EXPENDITURES


$46,529.35


$46,529.35


UNEXPENDED BALANCE


$74.34


...


375


ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS


REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRIC LINES & LIGHTS


To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of


Aldermen of the City of Somerville


Doctor Hurd and Gentlemen :


I most respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Elec- trical Department for the year ending December 31, 1946.


INSPECTION OF WIRING IN BUILDINGS


The same rigid inspections of electrical wiring and attach- ments thereto have been carried on as in previous years.


The use of unapproved and improperly constructed appli- ances are a life and fire hazard, but re-inspection of systems has kept electrical fires at a minimum.


The number of permits issued for electrical installations 4523


Permits issued to Boston Edison Company 2446 Total fees collected for permits .. $3,010.00


FIRE ALARM SYSTEM


Our fire alarm system is in good condition and operating very efficiently although it lacks many of the features now in use in more modern equipment. With the exception of approx- imately 600 feet of overhead line, our system in entirely under- ground. This has added considerable to its reliability as we have been practically immune from trouble due to wind and snow storms. However, I again recommend the purchase of an auxiliary power supply to augment our present source of supply.


376


ANNUAL REPORTS


ALARMS RECEIVED AND TRANSMITTED


First Alarms


866


Second Alarms


9


Third Alarms 2


A. D. T. Alarms


9


886


Still Alarms and Mutual Aid


1242


Total 2128


The Central Office equipment consists of the following :


2- 6 circuit operating boards.


1- 5 circuit tapper board.


1- 5 circuit gong board.


2-16 circuit storage battery charging boards.


1-32 circuit protective board.


1- 4 circuit punching register and take up reel.


2- 5 circuit punching registers and take up reels.


13- 1 circuit punching registers and take up reels.


2 Automotive time and date stamps.


1- 4 dial manual transmitter.


1 masterclock.


1 local telephone used on still alarm system.


531 cells storage battery.


3-10 foot 4 shelf battery racks.


32 low rate rectifiers.


5 metropolitan tappers and gongs.


1 high rate rectifier.


Apparatus outside the central office :


66 Gardner Type Fire Alarm Boxes.


79 Ideal Type Fire Alarm Boxes.


30 Peerless Type Fire Alarm Boxes.


2 Ideal Master Boxes with remote control.


29 Peerless Master Boxes with remote control and equipped with auxiliary stations located in various private and public buildings.


1 new box was added during the year.


7 Tower strikers (only 3 in service).


25 Cable terminal boxes.


9 punching registers.


28 closed circuit tappers and 5 open circuit tappers.


8 closed circuit tappers (secondary).


13 still alarm bells-local house system.


7 local telephones used as a company service system.


2 private interior telephones consisting of 12 stations.


4 traffic sirens.


11 house call bells.


POLICE SIGNAL EQUIPMENT


Close supervision and maintenance has kept this system in good operable condition despite heavy usage and age of our street equipment.


Number of Police Signal Boxes .....


93


377


ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS


Police Headquarters signal equipment consists of the following :


1 Type "C" Police Signal Desk.


3-5 circuit Registers.


35 Secondary batteries.


1 Charging panel.


2 Automatic time and date stamps.


2 takeup reels.


6 Official Phones connected with police desk.


The Police Radio System consists of the following :


1 Central Station Transmitter and Receiver.


3 Remote Central Stations.


1 Vertical Antenna.


1 Lampkin frequency monitor.


1 Tuning meter.


14 F. M. 2-way mobile radio telephone units.


TRAFFIC SIGNAL EQUIPMENT


This system consists of 31 intersection, 15 of which are equipped with pedestrian push buttons. Extensive alterations are now being made on many of these controllers in order to meet the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. Also time clocks are being installed which will automatically change the signals from normal to flashing op- eration and vice versa.


SUPERVISION OF POLES AND WIRES ON THE STREETS


All poles in the city were inspected by the companies own- ing same and all unsafe poles removed or replaced.


STREET LIGHTING


An extensive street lighting program as regards the re- lighting of our main streets is now in the survey stage and will be presented for your consideration early in the new year. The number of street lights December 31, 1946 are as follows :


5-15,000 lumen lamps 398-10,000 "


520- 6,000 "


36- 2,500 198- 1,000


1028- 800


I wish to thank His Honor the Mayor, and the members of the Board of Aldermen, and the several department heads for the many courtesies received.


Respectfully submitted, JAMES J. CUDDIHY Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights


378


ANNUAL REPORTS


REPORT OF THE SOMERVILLE CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT SYSTEM


The Somerville Contributory Retirement System, under the provision of Chapter 32 of the General Laws, Sections 1 to 28, inclusive, became operative in the City of Somerville on July 1, 1946. Employees entering or re-entering the service of the city after that date are subject to the provisions of said Chapter 32, Sections 1 to 28 inclusive. Employees' contributions under this law are at the rate of 5%.


The Somerville Contributory Retirement System was pre- viously governed by Chapter 184 of the Acts of 1930, as amend- ed by Chapter 222 of the Acts of 1933. Members of this sys- tem contribute 4% of their salaries.


Members of the 4% system were permitted to transfer to the new 5% system on July 1, 1946 and 544 of the 628 members took advantage of this privilege.


The assets of the two systems were merged, with the ap- proval of the Division of Insurance.


The following table shows the membership as of December 31, 1946:


Total


Group


5% System


4% System Both Systems


General Employees:


Men


251


53


304


Women


158


15


173


Firemen and Policemen


17


2


175


Total


582


70


652


379


RETIREMENT SYSTEM


The following table shows the number of beneficiaries on. the roll of the 4% system as of December 31, 1946, together with the amount of their annual retirement allowances.


Employee Beneficiaries in Receipt of Service Retirement Allowar:ces


Group


No.


Annuities


Pensions Payable From: Pension Accumula- Pension Reserve Fund tion Fund


Total Retirement Allowances


General Employees: Men


17


$1,627.56


$11,452.52


$28.20


$13,108.28


Women


15


1,043.40


6,816.49


359.16


8,219.05


Firemen and


Policemen


Total


32


$2,670.96


$18,269.01


$387.36


$21,327.33


Employee Beneficiaries in Receipt of Disability Retirement Allowances


General Employees: Men


1


$36.84


$780.45


$817.29


Women


....


.. ....


.....


........ ........


Firemen and


Policemen


Total


1


$36.84


$780.45


.............


$817.29




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